Cyclic stereophonic sound pattern method and apparatus for reading improvement

• US 4,775,322 A
• Filed: 11/07/1986
• Issued: 10/04/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen O. Behunin
• Original Assignee: Stephen O. Behunin
• Inventors: Behunin, Stephen O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jordan, Charles T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US06/928,023
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 434/178, 434/179, 434/181, 434/182, 434/236, 434/319
• US Class Current: 434/179
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/006 with audible presentation of the material to be studied audio and audio-visual teaching apparatus in general G09B5/04, G09B5/06
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 17/04 for increasing the rate of reading; Reading rate control

Abstract

A reading method for reading text whereby the reader listens to a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern while reading the text. The cyclic stereophonic sound pattern paces the reader'"'"'s eye movement over the text. The invention also includes reading improvement apparatus used in the practice of this method.

Claims

1. A reading method to be employed by a reader comprising listening to a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern while reading text;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a sound source from left to right and from right to left to create a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle; and

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern paces said reader'"'"'s eye movement over said text in a "left to right then right to left" manner.

2. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sound pattern is listened to by said reader with a left speaker and a right speaker.

3. A reading method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sound source has been panned with volume adjustments as follows:

(a) said sound source is panned from left to right;

(b) the volume of said sound source is decreased;

(c) said sound source is panned from right to left; and

(d) the volume of said sound source is increased.

4. A reading method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sound source has been panned with volume adjustments as follows:

(a) said sound source is panned from left to right;

(b) the volume of said sound source is increased;

(c) said sound source is panned from right to left; and

(d) the volume of said sound source is decreased.

5. A reading method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said left speaker and said right speaker are part of headphone set adapted to be worn by said reader.

6. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reader reads said text is read through stenopaic slits in stenopaic goggles worn by said reader;

wherein said stenopaic goggles comprise a blind having stenopaic slits through which said text can be read by said reader; and

wherein said blind functions to block visual distractions to said reader'"'"'s sense of sight.

7. A reading method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a computer system with music or audio capability serves as a source of said sound pattern.

8. Reading improvement apparatus to be used by a reader of text comprising a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern and a listening means for the reader to listen to said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a sound source;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle; and

wherein said sound pattern is adapted to pace eye movement over said text in a "left to right then right to left" manner.

9. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said listening means is comprised of a pre-recorded tape, a tape player, a left speaker and a right speaker;

and wherein said sound pattern is recorded on said pre-recorded tape and can be listened to by the reader through said speakers.

10. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said listening means is comprised of a left speaker and a right speaker.

11. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 10 wherein said left speaker and said right speaker are part of a headphone set.

12. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said sound source is panned with volume adjustments.

13. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 8 further comprising stenopaic goggles adapted to be worn by said reader;

wherein said stenopaic goggles comprise a blind having stenopaic slits through which said text can be read by said reader; and

wherein said blind functions to block visual distractions to said reader'"'"'s sense of sight.

14. Reading improvement apparatus comprising a cyclic stereophonic sound pattern recorded in a medium from which said sound pattern can be listened to by a reader of text either directly or with the aid of a machine;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern has been created by panning a sound source;

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is comprised of a "left to right then right to left" auditory cycle which is repeated when listened to by said reader; and

wherein said cyclic stereophonic sound pattern is adapted to pace said reader'"'"'s eye movement over said text.

15. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said sound pattern is heard with the aid of a machine;

and wherein said medium is an audio tape and said machine is an audio tape player.

16. Reading improvement apparatus in accordance with claim 14 wherein said sound source has been panned with volume adjustments as follows:

(a) said sound source is panned from left to right;

(b) the volume of said sound source is decreased;

(c) said sound source is panned from right to left; and

(d) the volume of said sound source is increased.

17. Reading apparatus in accordance wtih claim 14 wherein said sound source has been panned with volume adjustments as follows:

(a) said sound source is panned from left to right;

(b) the volume of said sound source is decreased;

(c) said sound source is panned from right to left; and

(d) the volume of said sound source is increased